A57129:50
Annotations on the book of Ecclesiastes
London: printed by J. Streater, 1669
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
to be exercised] Or afflicted and distracted therein, therefore not at all to be made blessed thereby.
From hence we may observe: First, That the best way of teaching is out of our own experience, and exact disquisition, Psal. 66.16, 17. Gal. 1.16.
2. That sound repentance doth notably fit a man to know and search out the Will of God, and to discover and teach the vanity of all other things, 2 Tim. 2.25. Jam. 1.21. Luke 22.32. Psal. 51.12, 13.
3. That men in highest authority are by their studies as well as their power to seek the welfare of those over whom they are set, and to endeavour with all their hearts to fit themselves with wisdom and abilities for discharge of their office, 1 Reg. 3.7, 8, 9. Luke 2.52. Act. 6.4. 1 Tim. 4.13, 14, 15.
3. That men in highest authority are by their studies as well as their power to seek the welfare of those over whom they are set, and to endeavour with all their hearts to fit themselves with wisdome and abilities for discharge of their office, 1 Reg. 3.7, 8, 9. Luke 2.52. Act. 6.4. 1 Tim. 4.13, 14, 15.
4. That the piety, age, dignity, authority, experience of a person, though it add nothing to the truth it self, yet hath a great power to persuade and prepare the hearts of hearers to the entertainment of it, Philem. vers. 9. 2 Cor. 10.7, 8. & 11.5, 6, 22 23. ⟨p. 38⟩& 12.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.11. 1 Cor. 9.1, 2. & 15.8, 9, 10.
4. That the piety, age, dignity, authority, experience of a person, though it add nothing to the truth it self, yet hath a great power to perswade and prepare the hearts of hearers to the entertainment of it, Philem. vers. 9. 2 Cor. 10.7, 8. & 11.5, 6, 22 23. ⟨p. 38⟩& 12.1, 2, 3, 4, 5.11. 1 Cor. 9.1, 2. & 15.8, 9, 10.
5. That largeness of Gifts and Helps from God, should quicken us unto a more cheerful and vigorous study of our duties, Matth. 15.16, 17.
5. That largeness of Gifts and Helps from God, should quicken us unto a more cheerfull and vigorous study of our duties, Matth. 15.16, 17.
6. That largeness of heart in knowledge of things natural, moral, Humane, Divine, are Royal Endowments, and things fit for a King to set his heart upon, Prov. 31.4. The greater our place, power, wealth is, the more noble and serious should our thoughts and employments be.
6. That largeness of heart in knowledge of things natural, moral, Humane, Divine, are Royal Endowments, and things fit for a King to set his heart upon, Prov. 31.4. The greater our place, power, wealth is, the more noble and serious should our thoughts and imployments be.
7. The more men abound with worldly things, the looser should they keep their hearts from them, and the more should they study the vanity of them, lest otherwise they steal away their hearts from God, Psal. 62.10.
8. The dignity, wisdom, piety of a people being duly considered, doth whet and add vigour to the studies and cares of those who are set over them for their good, 2 Reg. 3.8, 5. Mar. 6.5, 6.
8. The dignity, wisdome, piety of a people being duly considered, doth whet and add vigour to the studies and cares of those who are set over them for their good, 2 Reg. 3.8, 5. Mar. 6.5, 6.
9. We should improve the benefit of places and persons amongst whom we converse, to fit our selves thereby for the service of the Church. It is not only a comfort, but a furtherance unto wise and learned men, to live in places where wisdom and learning is professed, Act. 1.4.
10. It is a great comfort when men have helps and encouragements answerable to their employments, and having such, when they have hearts to use them, Prov, 17.16.
10. It is a great comfort when men have helps and encouragements answerable to their imployments, and having such, when they have hearts to use them, Prov, 17.16.
11. Here are the right principles of successful diligence in our places; 1. A willing heart, when a man goes about his work with all his strength, Eccles. 9.10. 2. Attendance on the Call of God, and for that reason submitting unto travel and pains, Act. 26.19. Gal. 1.15. 3. Stirring up the gifts which God hath given us as furtherances unto duty, 2. Tim. 1.6. 4. Exquisite inspection into the businesses about which we are employed, that we may not through our own negligence come behind in any gift, 1 Cor. 13.31. & 14.12.
11. Here are the right principles of successfull diligence in our places; 1. A willing heart, when a man goes about his work with all his strength, Eccles. 9.10. 2. Attendance on the Call of God, and for that reason submitting unto travel and pains, Act. 26.19. Gal. 1.15. 3. Stirring up the gifts which God hath given us as furtherances unto duty, 2. Tim. 1.6. 4. Exquisite inspection into the businesses about which we are imployed, that we may not through our own negligence come behind in any gift, 1 Cor. 13.31. & 14.12.
12. It is the will of God, that even our honourable and our necessary employments should be accompanied with sore travel, that we may be kept humble in our selves, weaned from the creature, and made the more thankful for any assistance the Lord giveth us in our Labours, and for any blessing upon them, Job. 5.7. Gen. 3.19.
12. It is the will of God, that even our honourable and our necessary imployments should be accompanied with sore travel, that we may be kept humble in our selves, weaned from the creature, and made the more thankfull for any assistance the Lord giveth us in our Labours, and for any blessing upon them, Job. 5.7. Gen. 3.19.
V. 14. I have seen all the works that are done under the Sun, and behold all is vanity ⟨p. 40⟩and vexation of spirit.] The former words showed the exactness of Solomons search into natural and humane things. That it was the labour of an aged Convert, (for Solomon was drawn away from God in his old age, 1 Reg. 11.4.) of a wise King, furnished with all Helps for such an inquiry: That it was an accurate and deep search, not loose or superficial. That it was undertaken with great impulsion of heart, and with a special Call of God: and now after all this, he concludes,
V. 14. I have seen all the works that are done under the Sun, and behold all is vanity ⟨p. 40⟩and vexation of spirit.] The former words shewed the exactness of Solomons search into natural and humane things. That it was the labour of an aged Convert, (for Solomon was drawn away from God in his old age, 1 Reg. 11.4.) of a wise King, furnished with all Helps for such an inquiry: That it was an accurate and deep search, not loose or superficial. That it was undertaken with great impulsion of heart, and with a special Call of God: and now after all this, he concludes,
1. That he had seen] That is, diligently heeded, and fully understood, as to the issue of this inquiry, all the works done under the Sun, Exod. 3.3. Eccles. 2.13, 14.